Alternate notification selection

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention relate to management of notifications responsive to the arrival and departure of mobile devices in a defined area. A prioritized list is shared among mobile devices in a defined area. Upon detection, mobile devices add their respective selected notifications to the prioritized list. A mobile device entering the defined area receives the prioritized list and in response to detecting a shared selected notification on the prioritized list, one of the mobile devices in the area changes its selected notification to an alternative notification. A second mobile device entering the defined area would likewise receive the prioritized list and change its selected notification to a second alternative notification responsive to a shared selected notification on the list. At such time as a device leaves the area, the list is again updated and all notifications exclusive to the device are removed from the list.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation patent application claiming thebenefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/737,057 file on Jan. 9, 2013 and titled “Alternate NotificationSelection” now pending, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to mobile devices and inparticular to a method for distinguishing such devices. Still moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a method for managingnotifications on multiple mobile devices.

2. Background

Today, mobile devices are common place devices used for communication.People all over the world use mobile devices to communicate with eachother. Mobile devices are used everywhere both in public, and privateplaces. These devices include numerous features and applications inaddition to allowing users to make and receive calls. These featuresallow users to store contact information, send and receive textualmessages, play games, set and track appointments, and generate tasklists.

Another feature of mobile devices is the ability to select and changering tones used to alert a user of an incoming call. Many types ofringtones are available, and although ring tones are changeable, oftentimes, different phones in the same area will use the same ring tone.For example, several mobile phones in a crowded public area such as atrain station, airport, or shopping mall may make it impossible forusers to distinguish whether the call is for them or another user withthe same ring tone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method is provided for autonomously selecting active notifications.

In one aspect, a method is provided for autonomous notificationselection. A prioritized list of notifications is created for a firstmobile device with respect to a defined geographical area. When a secondmobile device is detected in the area and is determined to share aselected notification with the first mobile device, the notificationselection of the second mobile device is changed to a first alternatenotification. This alternate notification is added to the list. When athird mobile device is detected in the defined and is determined toshare a selected notification with either the first mobile device or thesecond mobile device, the notification selection of the third mobiledevice is changed to a second alternate notification that is differentfrom any other notification in the list. The second alternatenotification is added to the list. In addition to changingnotifications, the arrival and departure of the mobile devices withrespect to the defined area is negotiated. Specifically, responsive toany of the devices leaving the defined area, any notification exclusiveto the departing mobile device is removed from the list. Accordingly,shared notifications are managed to maintain unique selectednotifications among devices in the defined area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings referenced herein form a part of the specification.Features shown in the drawings are meant as illustrative of only someembodiments of the invention, and not of all embodiments of theinvention unless otherwise explicitly indicated. Implications to thecontrary are otherwise not to be made.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating mobile devices in which the presentinvention may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of components used to manage notifications inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a flow chart illustrating a method for negotiatingnotifications among devices upon a device entering a defined area.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for negotiatingnotifications among devices upon a device leaving a defined area.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram illustrating a system for notificationnegotiation.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram illustrating a system for implementing anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein,may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following detailed description of theembodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the presentinvention, as presented in the Figures, is not intended to limit thescope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative ofselected embodiments of the invention.

The functional unit described in this specification has been labeledwith tools, modules, and/or managers. The functional unit may beimplemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmablegate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, orthe like. The functional unit may also be implemented in software forexecution by various types of processors. An identified functional unitof executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical orlogical blocks of computer instructions which may, for instance, beorganized as an object, procedure, function, or other construct.Nevertheless, the executable of an identified functional unit need notbe physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructionsstored in different locations which, when joined logically together,comprise the functional unit and achieve the stated purpose of thefunctional unit.

Indeed, a functional unit of executable code could be a singleinstruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed overseveral different code segments, among different applications, andacross several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may beidentified and illustrated herein within the functional unit, and may beembodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type ofdata structure. The operational data may be collected as a single dataset, or may be distributed over different locations including overdifferent storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, aselectronic signals on a system or network.

Reference throughout this specification to “a select embodiment,” “oneembodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “a select embodiment,” “in one embodiment,”or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specificationare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided, such asexamples of managers, to provide a thorough understanding of embodimentsof the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of thespecific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention.

The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood byreference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by likenumerals throughout. The following description is intended only by wayof example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments ofdevices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the inventionas claimed herein.

In the following description of the embodiments, reference is made tothe accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which shows byway of illustration the specific embodiment in which the invention maybe practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized because structural changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference toFIG. 1, a diagram illustrating mobile devices in which the presentinvention may be implemented is depicted. Mobile devices (100)-(106) aredepicted as examples of devices that may be implemented. The presentinvention allows for distinguishing and prioritizing notifications seton different mobile devices, especially when the devices are initiallyset to the same ringtone.

The mechanism of the present invention allows for a mobile device, suchas a mobile device (102), to change to an alternate notification ifanother mobile device, such as mobile device (104), in a definedgeographic area is detected to share the selected notification. Whenmobile device (102) detects mobile device (104), mobile device (102)broadcasts a common prioritized notification list established in thedefined area. In one embodiment, this common list is stored on allmobile devices in the common area. The notification may be transmittedthrough a short-range wireless transmission or over the Internet. Inresponse to receiving the prioritized notification list, mobile device(104), after making any necessary changes, adds its notificationidentifier to the notification list.

In each instance in these illustrative examples, the mobile device iscapable of choosing and assigning an alternate notification. In thismanner, notifications may be automatically changed to alternatenotifications and/or customized notifications to allow a user todetermine when their mobile device is generating an alert.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a diagram (200) of components used tomanage notifications is depicted in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. Notification process (202) is aprocess used to manage notifications in a manner to allow a user todistinguish the notification of the user's mobile device from othermobile devices. Notification process (202) may be implemented as a setof instructions or circuits on a mobile device.

In this illustrative example, a default ringtone and an alternateringtone form notifications (204). Notifications (204) also may includeadditional notifications. Each of these notifications may be identifiedthrough a notification identifier (206). The notification identifier(206) may be, for example, a number, alphanumeric sequence, or a name.In this example, the current notification (204) is the default ring tonefor the mobile device.

Notification process (202) receives notification identifier (206) fromanother mobile device. In response to receiving this identifier,notification process (202) compares notification identifier (206) withthe notification identifier for the current notification (204) beingused in the mobile device. In one embodiment, the comparison of thenotification identifiers (206) of the mobile devices takes place inreal-time. The comparison may include an analysis of a selection ofnotification patterns of the devices. In this example, the currentnotification (204) is the default ring tone set for the mobile device.Notification identifier (206) may be received in response to a broadcastof a notification identifier (206) by notification process (202).Alternatively, notification identifier (206) may have been transmittedor broadcast by the other mobile device in response to detecting themobile device in which notification process (202) is located.

If the notifications identifiers (206) are different, no action is takento change the current notification (204) because the notification (204)of the other mobile device will not be confused with the currentnotification (204) of the mobile device in which notification process(202) is located. If the notification identifiers (206) are the same,notification process (202) selectively changes the current notification(204) to an alternate notification. In one embodiment, a user profile isconsulted for selection of the alternate notification. Accordingly, thecurrent notification (204) of one of the mobile devices is changed inresponse to ascertaining a conflict.

User profile (208) may indicate that the current notification (204)should be changed. In this case, the current notification (204) remainsthe same. In another example, user profile (208) may provide analternate notification that is to be used. In a further illustrativeexample, user profile (208) may indicate that notification process (202)should wait for some period of time and then determine whether a mobiledevice is detected that has the same notification identifier (206)before changing the current notification (204) to an alternatenotification. Further, user profile (208) may indicate that the user isto be prompted to use an alternate notification from notifications(204). Many other rules and preferences may be set in user profile (208)depending on the particular implementation.

When notification process (202) changes the current notification (204),an indication is provided to alert the user to the change innotifications. This indication may be, for example, a display of a nameof the new notification. Another indication may be an audible alert tolet the user know that the notification has changed.

To maintain a unique ringtone on a first mobile device in an area withadditional devices, an alternative notification is activated in theevent a proximal second device shares an active ringtone with the firstmobile device. FIGS. 3A and 3B are a flow chart illustrating a methodfor activating alternative notifications, such as an alternativeringtone. A mobile device enters a defined area (302). In oneembodiment, the area is defined by boundaries established by a globalpositioning coordinate system. In one embodiment, the radius of the areais defined to be an approximated range in which the device can be heard.In another embodiment, where mobile devices are in communication over apublic or private wireless local area network (WLAN), the area isdefined by a broadcaster of the WLAN. In yet another embodiment,cellular towers are used to define the area. Accordingly, multiplemethods may be implemented to define the area in which a mobile deviceis considered “proximal” and should not be limited to the embodimentsdescribed herein.

Upon entering the defined area, it is determined if the device is thefirst like device in the area (304). A positive response to thedetermination at step (304) is followed by an initiation of aprioritized notification list (306). In one embodiment, the notificationlist is a list of ringtones used by a mobile device. Following step(306), the primary ring tone of the first mobile device is added to theprioritized notification list along with an identifier associated withthe first mobile device to associate the prioritized notification withthe first mobile device in the list. In one embodiment, this primaryring tone is a ring tone currently being used by the mobile device asthe default ring tone. In one embodiment, the primary ring tone is givenhighest priority in the prioritized notification list. Accordingly, aprioritized notification list is created in response to a first deviceentering a defined area and a primary ringtone is added to the list bythe first device.

A negative response to the determination at step (304) is followed by arequest for access to a prioritized notification list created by adifferent device in the area (310). The prioritized notification list isexamined (312). Specifically, it is determined if there are anyringtones in the list that are the same as the primary ringtone of theentering device (314). In one embodiment, this is determined bycomparing the primary ringtone of the entering device with a ringtonefrom the prioritized list. Specifically, the comparison involvesanalyzing a selection of the primary ringtone of the entering device andcomparing an analyzed pattern of this ringtone with a selection of apattern of a ringtone from the prioritized list. In one embodiment, thepattern is a digital wave pattern of a ringtone. Accordingly, theringtones are analyzed to determine if the primary ringtone of theentering device is shared among any active ringtones or active mobiledevices in the defined area.

A negative response to the determination at step (314) is followed byadding the primary ringtone of the device to the prioritizednotification list along with a device identifier associated with theringtone (316). In one embodiment, the identifier is a phone number ofthe mobile device with the selected ringtone. The updated notificationlist is either transmitted to all devices in the defined area associatedwith the list (318), or in one embodiment, the devices receive a signalto consult the list for an update. A positive response to step (314) isfollowed by a determination as to whether the device has any definedalternative ringtones (ART) for selection (320). A negative response tothe determination at step (320) is followed by the selection of a customnotification (322). The custom notification may contain specificidentifiers associated with the mobile device user. For example, acustom notification may be in the form of, but is not limited to, anaudible recitation of the name of the user, an audible recitation of anumber or identifier associated with the user, or an oral or writtencustom notification recorded by the user. In one embodiment, the customnotification is an action taken by the mobile device, such as avibration by the mobile device or a generated textual notification.Following step (322), the selected custom notification is added to theprioritized notification list (324) with an identifier, and the updatedprioritized notification list is sent to all devices in the area (326),or in one embodiment, the devices receive a signal to consult the listfor an update. In one embodiment, an alternate custom notification isprovided for selection by a mobile device where two mobile devices sharea custom notification on the prioritized list. Accordingly, in the eventof a match of device notifications for the define area, a customnotification may be selected where an alternative ringtone is notavailable.

A positive response to step (320) is followed by a search for aselectable alternative ring tone that is not on the prioritizednotification list (328). In one embodiment, a prioritized list ofalternate ringtones is provided by a user local to the device, and analternative ringtone search of highest priority that is not on theprioritized notification list is conducted. It is determined if analternate ring tone was found matching this criteria (330). A negativeresponse is followed by a return to step (322) and a positive responseis followed by selecting the available alternate ringtone for the devicethat is determined to match the criteria, e.g. is unique, (332). Thealternate ringtone and a device identifier associated with the alternateringtone is added to the prioritized notification list (334) followed bya transmission or communication of the list to all devices in thedefined area (336). Accordingly, an alternate ringtone is selected ifavailable and is added to the prioritized notification list.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, negotiation between mobile devices takesplace upon a device entering the defined area. Negotiation betweenmobile devices also exists for a device leaving the defined area. FIG. 4is a flow chart illustrating a method for negotiation among mobiledevices responsive to a mobile device leaving the defined area. Asshown, upon leaving the defined area (402), all notifications andidentifiers associated with the notifications previously added to theprioritized list by the mobile device are removed from the list (404).These changes are communicated to all mobile devices in the defined area(406). In one embodiment, the updated list is transmitted to eachremaining device in the area. Similarly, in one embodiment, each deviceremaining in the area receives a communication to consult the list forchanges and/or updates. In one embodiment, a mobile device selects a newringtone responsive to receiving the updated list (not shown). This newringtone may be a ringtone of higher priority than the notificationcurrently used by the mobile device. Accordingly, information associatedwith a device in the defined area is removed from the prioritizednotification list responsive to the device leaving the defined area.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware based embodiment, an entirely software basedembodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) oran embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wire line, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram (500) depicting a system for negotiation amongmobile devices. A computer (502) is provided in communication with threemobile devices (530), and (532) and (534). While three mobile devicesare shown, it is understood that more than three mobile devices may beimplemented. The computer (502) is provided with a processing unit (504)in communication with memory (506) across a bus (508). The processingunit to carry out the processes encoded in a functional unit (510)provided in communication with memory (506). The functional unit isprovided with a variety of tools for management of notification, thetools comprising: a prioritization manager (512), a detection manager(514), and an activation manager (516).

The prioritization manager (512) is provided to create a prioritizedlist (540) of notifications for a defined area. As shown herein, thelist (540) is local to the computer (502), however this placement of thelist is not limiting. In one embodiment, the list is transmitted to eachof the devices (530), (532), and (534). The detection manager (514) isprovided to detect a first mobile device in the defined area, a secondmobile device in the defined area sharing a selected notification withthe first mobile device, and a third mobile device in the defined areasharing a selected notification with one of the other detected devices.The detection manager (514) further detects any of the previouslydetected mobile devices leaving the defined area. The activation manager(516) is provided in communication with both the prioritization managerand the detection manager. The activation manager (516), in response todetection of the second mobile device sharing a selected notificationwith the first mobile device, changes the notification selection of thesecond mobile device to a first alternative notification, and adds thefirst alternate notification to the list of prioritized notifications.In one embodiment, an analysis manager (518) is provided incommunication with the detection manager (514). The analysis managerconducts real-time comparison of two or more ringtones. Specifically,the analysis manager (518) analyzes a selection of a first ringtonepattern of the mobile devices and compares the analyzed pattern to aselection of a second ringtone pattern of another of the mobile devices.Similarly, the activation manager (516), in response to detection of thethird mobile device sharing a selected notification with the firstmobile device or the second mobile device, changes the notificationselection of the third mobile device to a second alternativenotification, and adds the second alternate notification to list ofprioritized notifications. The activation manager (516) removes anynotifications exclusive to a departing mobile device from the listresponsive to the departing mobile device leaving the defined area.Accordingly, the provided tools negotiate and manage the use ofnotifications for mobile devices in a defined area using a prioritizednotification list.

As identified above, the prioritization manager (512), detection manager(514), and activation manager (516), hereinafter referred to as tools,function as elements to support autonomous classification of textualdata. The tools (512)-(516) are shown residing in memory (506) local tothe data computer (502) and in communication with the mobile device(530), (532), and (534). However, the tools (512)-(516) may reside ashardware tools external to the memory (506), or they may be implementedas a combination of hardware and software. Similarly, in one embodiment,the tools (512)-(516) may be combined into a single functional item thatincorporates the functionality of the separate items. As shown herein,each of the tools (512)-(516) are shown local to the computer (502).However, in one embodiment they may be collectively or individuallydistributed across a network or multiple machines and function as a unitto autonomously classify textual data. Accordingly, the tools may beimplemented as software tools, hardware tools, or a combination ofsoftware and hardware tools.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

Referring now to the block diagram (600) of FIG. 6, additional detailsare now described with respect to implementing an embodiment of thepresent invention. The computer system includes one or more processors,such as a processor (602). The processor (602) is connected to acommunication infrastructure (604) (e.g., a communications bus,cross-over bar, or network).

The computer system can include a display interface (606) that forwardsgraphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure(604) (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on a display unit(608). The computer system also includes a main memory (610), preferablyrandom access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory(612). The secondary memory (612) may include, for example, a hard diskdrive (614) (or alternative persistent storage device) and/or aremovable storage drive (616), representing, for example, a floppy diskdrive, a magnetic tape drive, or an optical disk drive. The removablestorage drive (616) reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit(618) in a manner well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.Removable storage unit (618) represents, for example, a floppy disk, acompact disc, a magnetic tape, or an optical disk, etc., which is readby and written to by a removable storage drive (616). As will beappreciated, the removable storage unit (618) includes a computerreadable medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.

In alternative embodiments, the secondary memory (612) may include othersimilar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to beloaded into the computer system. Such means may include, for example, aremovable storage unit (620) and an interface (622). Examples of suchmeans may include a program package and package interface (such as thatfound in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM,or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units (620)and interfaces (622) which allow software and data to be transferredfrom the removable storage unit (620) to the computer system.

The computer system may also include a communications interface (624).Communications interface (624) allows software and data to betransferred between the computer system and external devices. Examplesof communications interface (624) may include a modem, a networkinterface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, or a PCMCIAslot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via communicationsinterface (624) are in the form of signals which may be, for example,electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of beingreceived by communications interface (624). These signals are providedto communications interface (624) via a communications path (i.e.,channel) (626). This communications path (626) carries signals and maybe implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, acellular phone link, a radio frequency (RF) link, and/or othercommunication channels.

In this document, the terms “computer program medium,” “computer usablemedium,” and “computer readable medium” are used to generally refer tomedia such as main memory (610) and secondary memory (612), removablestorage drive (616), and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive oralternative persistent storage device (614).

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored inmain memory (610) and/or secondary memory (612). Computer programs mayalso be received via a communication interface (624). Such computerprograms, when run, enable the computer system to perform the featuresof the present invention as discussed herein. In particular, thecomputer programs, when run, enable the processor (602) to perform thefeatures of the computer system. Accordingly, such computer programsrepresent controllers of the computer system.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed.

Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and the practical application,and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand theinvention for various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated.

Alternative Embodiment

It will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of theinvention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Specifically, the autonomous detection andselection notification for a mobile device is not limited to a mobilephone. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this invention is limitedonly by the following claims and their equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: creating a prioritized list ofnotifications for a defined area responsive to detecting a first mobiledevice in the area, including adding a first notification of the firstmobile device to the list, wherein the list of notifications comprisesat least one ringtone; responsive to detecting a second mobile device inthe area sharing a first selected notification with the first mobiledevice, changing the first selected notification of the second mobiledevice to a first alternate notification, and adding the first alternatenotification to the list; responsive to detecting a third mobile devicein the defined area sharing a second selected notification with one ofthe first mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein thedetection of the shared selected notification includes anelectromagnetic transmission received over a network, replacing thesecond selected notification of the third mobile device, whereinresponsive to a second alternate notification of the third devicediffering from the notification selections of the first and secondmobile devices, replacing the second selected notification with thesecond alternate notification and adding the second alternatenotification to the list, and wherein responsive to the second alternatenotification of the third device being shared with the notificationselections of the first and second devices, replacing the secondselected notification by a first custom notification unique to the thirddevice and adding the first custom notification to the list; andnegotiating arrival and departure of mobile devices in the area,including responsive to one of the devices leaving the area, removing apriority notification exclusive to the departing mobile device from thelist and updating the list to reflect a notification selection of eachremaining device.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising real-timecomparison of two or more ringtones, including analyzing a selection ofa first ringtone pattern of the mobile devices and comparing theanalyzed pattern to a selection of a second ringtone pattern of anotherof the mobile devices.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein adding anotification to the list further comprises adding an identifierassociated with the mobile device to the list.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the identifier is an owner name associated with the mobiledevice.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the identifier is a mobilephone number associated with the mobile device.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein the first custom notification is an action selected from thegroup consisting of: a textual notification message generated by thefirst mobile device, and a vibration generated by the first mobiledevice.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein updating the prioritizednotification list further comprises ordering the list based on asequence of detecting a device entry in the area.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the first custom notification comprises an audible recitationselected from the group consisting of: a name of the user, a numberassociated with the user, and an identifier associated with the user. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the first custom notification comprises anotification recorded by the user.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein anotification is an alert in response to the mobile device receiving anincoming communication.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein anotification comprises an audible alert protocol.